ICI and its member Cargill hosted graduation ceremony last week for 60 young people who have completed a vocational and technical training program in the Western North Region of Ghana. The ceremony, which took place at the forecourt of the Bekwai Chief’s palace, included children from different cocoa-growing communities within various districts in the Western North Region of Ghana.
The initiative forms part of Cargill's Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation System (CLMRS) strategy under the Cargill Cocoa Promise, which aims to identify, prevent, and remediate child labour within the cocoa supply chain. The apprenticeship programme specifically supports young people aged 15-17, who are identified as being involved in or at risk of child labour and have completed basic school but face limited access to further education.
Through practical training in areas such as hairdressing, auto-mechanics, carpentry, tailoring, and glass fabrication, the programme equips young people with skills for self-reliance and therefore helping to contribute to community resilience. These apprentices were enrolled in 2021/2022 with the support from Cargill. The support covered costs of enrolment, Personal Protective Equipment, monthly stipends, and all necessary tools and equipment they needed to learn the skills and establish themselves upon completion.
"Human rights are fundamental at Cargill," said Max Essoh Latte, Managing Director of Cargill Ghana. "We believe that the best way to safeguard the future of cocoa is to improve the livelihoods and wellbeing of farmers and their families. This programme empowers young people with real opportunities to succeed."
"Apprenticeship training is a great example of how we can reduce child labour and improve livelihoods in cocoa-growing communities," noted Mike Arthur, Ghana Country Director of ICI. "By investing in these young people and equipping them with vocational and technical skills, they become economically independent, allowing them to support their families, diversify income in cocoa-growing communities, and reduce the prevalence of child labour."
Graduates were presented with TVET certificates from the Ministry of Education. In attendance were government officials, traditional leaders, parents and Master craftspersons, highlighting the shared responsibility in the fight against child labour.
“I'm very proud that I have completed this training. Before, I was idle at home because I had dropped out of school and would sometimes go to the farm with my parents to work. Now, I have a skill that helps me earn money. I have been given all the tools and equipment I need so setting up myself would not be a problem, " said Raheal Konadu, Hairdressing apprentice from Debiso.